Are they Bravehearts and clubs? Mel Gibson makes late night appearance at Sydney casino... and 'loses $200 on blackjack table'

His last appearance at Sydney's Star Casino saw him present the Best Director gong to old friend George Miller at the 5th annual AACTA Awards.

But as the dust settles on this year's event it was a comparatively low key Mel Gibson who made his way into the same venue for some late night gambling on Saturday evening.

The 59-year old was hard to miss as he took a seat at the blackjack table. is understood to have remained for half an hour before leaving in the early hours of the morning.

Bravehearts and clubs: Mel Gibson was hard to miss as he took a seat at the blackjack table during an appearance at Sydney's Star Casino, where he is understood to have remained for half an hour before leaving in the early hours of the morning.

At one point Gibson confidently produced two $100 bills before intently observing his cards.

The Hollywood star appeared to be in high spirits as he chatted to fellow gamers, but despite his winning smile onlookers claim he lost his $200 before making an exit.

Share this article

Gibson is enjoying a protracted stay in New South Wales while he shoots his latest film - World War II drama Hacksaw Ridge - with a cast that includes Andrew Garfield, Vince Vaghn and Teresa Palmer.

Earlier this year the actor-director - who moved to Sydney from his native New York as a child - said: 'I'm so glad to be here [Australia] again, working here again, bumping into people I've known for years, decades, again... and moving forward - it's been great.'

Low key: Gibson mingled with fellow gamers during his late night appearance at the popular venue

Here you go: The actor-director placed two $100 bills on the blackjack table...

... he is understood to have lost $200 before leaving in the early hours of the morning

He added: 'It gives me a particular giggle. I kicked off over 35 years ago here (and) I feel like I've picked up the thread where I left off since last I worked here.'

Hacksaw Ridge is based on the true story of conscientious objector Desmond Doss, who saved 75 men in Okinawa in World War II without ever firing a gun.

'It's about a man who wouldn't touch a weapon and wanted to be part of saving lives in the worst place on earth. I mean Okinawa was a horrific place... there were over 300,000 casualties, mostly civilian,' Mel said during a press conference at Sydney's Fox Studios at the time.

In it to win it: Gibson and a fellow gamer looked intently at their cards

Fancy meeting you here: The Hollywood star was in high spirits as he chatted to fellow guests

The $45 million production will be Mel's fifth directorial offering after the mixed critical and commercial successes of The Man Without A Face, Braveheart, The Passion of the Christ and Apocalypto.

The American war drama also includes high profile stars, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey andHugo Weaving.

Hacksaw Ridge is expected to be completed towards the end of 2016.

Good times: Gibson was letting his hair down during a break from the set of his new film, Hacksaw Ridge